A Mystery Party for kids under 12

The local Jr. high is putting on a play about the Nutcracker. Everyone

has been practising for weeks and we are just a few hours away from what

should be an amazing performance. The problem is that the most

important prop in the play, the Nutcracker, has disappeared. Without it

the show is ruined. Help us find the missing Nutcracker so that the show

can go on.

Thank you for choosing Who Nabbed the Nutcracker? a children’s mystery party game. Whenyou purchase the game you will be given a comprehensive packet that will provide all of theinformation that you need to run your very own mystery party—one that will have your gueststalking about for weeks, if not longer.

This mystery experience is designed to be easy to run and fun to play for all the guests involved.The mystery games for guests under the age of 12 are less complicated for the guests than theadult and teen mystery games. The guests in the children’s mystery parties are assignedcharacters and given costume suggestions and a small character description but the game doesnot depend on the guests assuming those characters. There are clues that are given to all of theguests as the party progresses through various party games that create the mystery plot. In theend the guests have an opportunity to guess the solution to the mystery and awards are given tothe guests who figure out the mystery. Prizes can also be given throughout the night for winnersof the various party games.

The number of guests needed for the children’s mystery parties is flexible as the clues are notdependant on the guests providing them and the mystery takes place before the guests arrive so amissing character doesn’t spoil the outcome. Minimum and maximum numbers are stillsuggested with the children’s parties for your convenience.

All products come in the form of professionally designed pdf files that will contain all of yourinstructions and materials for running your party. Once purchased, you will receive an email thatwill give you a link to a secured part of our site and a password to enable you to download yourparty package pdfs.

As the Host, what do you need to do?

Your job as host will be to assign each guest a character and provide them with an invitation andcharacter description before the party. You will also need to print up and organize all of thematerial needed at the party including the instructions to the guests, name tags, games andawards. Each game that will be played comes with complete instructions and you as Host willneed to print, cut out and organize the clues for the games. To add to the experience you maywant to decorate in a holiday theme and serve dinner or refreshments.

Party Schedule

• Most likely, the length of the party will take 1 ½ to 2 hours. It could be longer if you servefood, have presents (if it is a birthday party) and or play all of the optional games.

• Give each guest a name tag as they arrive.

• Read the introduction to the guests.

• Play Clue Bingo.

• Read through and display the clues from Clue Bingo.

• Play Pass the Parcel and display the FIRST SET OF CLUES on cardboard or posterboard.

• Play Hot Hot Cold or go on the Clue Treasure Hunt and add the SECOND SET OF CLUES tothe cardboard or posterboard.

• Play Musical Clues and add the THIRD SET OF CLUES to the cardboard or posterboard.

• Play any optional games (note optional games can be played at any time as long as you havetime for the required games).

• Read over all of the clues that have been collected.

• Have the guests guess who nabbed the Nutcracker and record their guesses on the WhodunitCards. If the guests are too young to fill out the Whodunit Cards on their own, you as host canrecord their guesses on the Host’s Whodunit Worksheet.

• Break the pinata. Read the solution to the mystery.

• Give out awards for guests who correctly solve the mystery.

Brief Character List

There are 12 characters in the game (4 female, 3 male and 5 that can be male or female) although,unlike the teen and adult games, it is NOT necessary to have all of the characters present for theparty. More guests can be added by purchasing the expansion pack from our website:partytimemysteries.com or you can create your own.

Female– Clara (Main character in play)Male– Fritz (Clara’s obnoxious brother)Male– Godfather Drosselmeyer (Magical clockmaker)Female– Sugarplum Fairy (Ruler of the Land of the Sweets)Female– Madalena (Spanish Hot Chocolate Dancer)Male or Female– Sandeep (Arabian Coffee Dancer)Male or Female– Ping (Chinese Tea Dancer)Male or Female– Sasha (Russian Dancer)Male– Nutcracker Prince (Prince of the Land of the Sweets, rules at the Marzipan Castle)Male or Female– Mouse King (Enemy of the Nutcracker Prince and Sugarplum Fairy)Male or Female– Casey (Toy soldier)Female– Isabella (Wind up ballerina doll gift from Drosselmeyer)

Sample Character Descriptions

Clara (Main character in play)

Clara’s part in the play is perfect for her. She is an outgoing and popular person who lovesChristmas and all of the things that go with it. She has a special place in her Godfather’s heartand is constantly spoiled by him making her brother Fritz very jealous. Off the stage Clara isalso special to a lot of people and cares about doing well and having attention. She and her bestfriend, the Sugarplum Fairy, have a lot of fun together and have enjoyed getting ready for theplay. She can’t wait for opening night and doesn’t want anything to spoil her star performance.

Costume suggestions: frilly party dress or pretty nightgown, bow in hair and a big smile on yourface.

SAMPLE OF CLUES

Clue: the prop room is usually locked when there are no classes. There doesn’t seem to be anysign of forced entry so someone had to have a key to get in to take the Nutcracker or they had toclimb through a window.

Clue: The Mouse King is very nervous and isn’t sure he/she wants to go on.